I am new to this group.  Never though we would have a 'ghost' in our house, but here is the story.

We have been restoring an 1851 Greek Revivial Plantation house in Paris, Ontario for over a year now.  The Carriage House is a very active Bed & Breakfast and we are happy it is very successful.  Guests ask about ghosts in our house and we always comment that there is nothing to report except that this is a very calm and happy house.

The previous owner called friday to talk about the 'ghost' in our kitchen that her daughter saw many times while they lived there for 25 years.  She also said she was an older woman in a mourning dress in the reflection of a very old mirror.

While mentioning this story to my sister in law yesterday, she quietly said she saw "George" too in the same area of the kitchen and described exactly the same person detail for detail.  I asked why she said nothing to me.  She said she went to the kitchen to see our progress on the restoration, saw George and just wanted to leave quickly.  She wasnt sure anyone would believe her story.

I would like to ask if anyone can help find or introduce me to "George".  We have just great history with this house as we were part of the underground railroad in the 1850's.  Is there a way to photo "George".

Wes said:

Hello Inkeeper,

How/why is the spirit identified as "George?"

In any event, I'm sure you'll get a lot of feedback and opinions — here's mine.

First, I'd do as much research into the actual history of the house and area as possible, through your local historical society, library, local government, closest university, etc. I think you'd be surprised at how often legends associated with places turn out to be false. (For example, most places that are supposed to have been stops on the Underground Railroad really weren't).

If nothing else, I would imagine that the history would give you a greater appreciation of the home and would let you deal with any subsequent claims from a factual basis.

Good luck!

Wes:  I have much history on this property.  There are several books written with history and these books were written based on letters that are still owned by the family.  Half of the letters are now with the Ontario historical Archives in Ottawa and I been in contact with Sara in that office.  Last week I had a surprise visit from two of the Great Great grand nieces of the gentleman that built this house.  They will be coming back for a longer stay at our B&B inJanuary with these letter so we can go through them.  Half of these letter will be the originals and the other half copies of the originals.  In the one book written by the mother of one of these cousins, it is mentional at the onset that "George the coachman" was looked upon as being odd because of his extremely dark skin. 

It is also documented by Angela Files (who has written a book on the underground railroad in our community) that this neighbourhood was very much a part of the underground railroad and that there were bounty hunters that travelled along the edge of the Grand River (where we are now situated)  There are bars still on the servants windows as well as locks on the inside of their door (most likely for protection).  Asa Wolverton (the gentleman who built our home) died in 1861 and there in no knowledge of what happened to the servants, however there is no mention of George being with any of the familys that lived in this house afterwards.  The Baker family lived here after and only had Sarah, 55 and Linday, 21.

Again, I will be sitting down with Mrs. Files soon as we have recently met and plan to get together to discuss the local slavery issue.  It is mentioned in the local history records that Asa Wolverton had the only household that was allowed to house blacks and he actually built a little house across the street for his servants shortly before his death.

So I am quite confident to suggest that this spirit is "George the Coachman" who was looking after the families animals and carriage.  Interestingly enough, the barn (attached to the carriage house) is still in tact over 160 years later.  The stalls are still clearly marked out and the water trough is still sitting in its original location.  We went down the hay drop the first week we moved in only to discover that we were the first people to be in the lower stables in over 50/60 years.

Comments welcomed please.

First off, let me say that the "woman in the mirror" was seen by the previous owner and I really dont think that is worthy of exploring as I think she is a bit "baty", however, my sisterinlaw said she saw George and it was July 24, around mid afternoon, a hot summer day.  That I remember as it was a family BBQ.  I would not disbelieve this woman.

…and I am sure there are no gases in this part of the house as it is under restoration and only the elecrical is hooked up at this time, no gas lines or water lines.  But two people have seen this (that I am aware of) many times over the past 25 years.  Im trying to locate the owner of 30 years back…he is still alive and living near by (his nephew is my neighbour).  I have also talked with another resident of this home but he was a small boy at the time (early 50's).

I dont want to have a ghost and Im not sure if I really want to see one either, however the curious part of me just wants to see what my sisterinlaw saw.

(FYI. these people have all come to visit me over the past year…I have not searched them out)  People come from all over the world to view our home…and there's at least one person every week taking a picture of it.

Two people, totally existing in different parts of our country, neither one meeting the other have seen and described the same 'person' or paranormal experience.

I would like to believe that I am capable of experiencing that too but dont know how to prepare myself for the ideal.  This is a new adventure for me and I want to do it without consequence.